If you’ve ever come across a piece of jewellery like the one shown in the picture and wondered what the stone was, you’re not alone! That smooth, cold white circle with a delicate grey or
brown spiral (as though someone had added the thinnest whorl of cocoa powder or cinnamon to the froth on their cappuccino) is known as a shiva shell, or sometimes a shiva eye shell.
Shiva shells are the protective trap door (operculum) produced by a marine mollusc known as the turban snail. The most common species used to make shiva shell jewellery is the tapestry turban, which is found in the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and some parts of the Pacific. While the snail is alive, the shiva shell prevents it from drying out when the tide is low, and also protects it from predators. Near the end of the snail’s life, the operculum falls to the sea bed.
Why “Shiva eye”?
Shiva is one of the main Hindu gods (the top god in some branches of Hinduism). In Hindu mythology, Shiva’s invisible “third eye” was said to represent wisdom and intuition. Wearing something that symbolises the third eye protects you against bad energy, and helps foster a positive outlook.
Shiva shells look wonderful when set into sterling silver, and can be fashioned into earrings, pendants, rings and bracelets. The ideal setting for shiva eye shell jewellery is simple and plain, to show these attractive “stones” at their best.